Pope named NACC Men's Soccer Defensive Player of the Year

MEQUON, Wis. – Senior Jacob Pope was named the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Men's Soccer Defensive Player of the Year as the league announced its all-conference awards Monday. Pope was one of six Falcons to be honored.

Those who watched Pope (Muskego, Wis.) in 2013 could tell how big of an impact he had for the Falcons, as his award was well deserved after a dominant senior season. He played a big part in seven CUW shutouts this season. Pope also contributed greatly to the team's offensive production as he has seven assists, tied for second most in the NACC.

In addition to being named Defensive Player of the Year, Pope was named to the All-NACC First Team for the fourth-consecutive season. Pope was a NACC First Team defender for three seasons (2010, 2011 and 2013) and was also named to the NACC First Team as a forward last fall.

The Falcons were well represented on the all-conference teams as three players earned All-NACC Second Team honors, while two freshmen were named to the All-Freshman squad. Junior midfielders Diego Campos (Milwaukee, Wis.) and Paul Stuebs (Neenah, Wis.) and sophomore forward Keegan Van Dusseldorp (Burlington, Wis.) earned Second Team All-NAC selections, while freshmen Gavin Winston (Park Forest, Ill.) and Justin Clayton (Crete, Ill.) were named to the All-Freshman team.

Campos is tied with Pope for the team lead with seven assists and has three goals heading into the Falcons NACC Tournament Semifinal match against Dominican University on Tuesday. He scored nine points during the conference regular season schedule, netting two goals and adding five assists.

Stuebs scored just one goal in conference play but earned NACC Second Team honors with his strong defensive midfield play during the regular season. He is one of two players who has started all 19 matches this season. Stuebs, Pope and Campos are the Falcons team captains.

Van Dusseldorp also earned NACC Second Team accolades after being one of the top offensive players for CUW, as well as in the NACC. He has 22 points, leading the team with 10 goals and scored six goals in nine conference matches. As of Monday, Van Dusselorp ranked fourth in the NACC in goals scored and fifth in points. The six goals in NACC regular season matches were tied for third best.

Winston had an outstanding freshman campaign, as he has nine goals and two assists this season. The freshman scored six times in the NACC regular season. His nine goals rank first among all NACC freshman, while he ranks second on the Falcons to Van Dusseldorp in both goals and points.

Clayton has started 12 games this season and has recorded two assists. Like Stuebs he has contributed greatly to the defensive effort for the Falcons.

Logan Andryk of MSOE was named the league's Offensive Player of the Year after leading the conference in goals, assists and points. Dominican's Alex Rohder earned Freshman of the Year honors, while Rich Nassif of Benedictine University was named NACC Coach of the Year.

2013 NACC Men's Soccer AwardsDefensive Player of the Year: Jacob Pope, Concordia University Wisconsin
Offensive Player of the Year: Logan Andryk, MSOE
Freshman of the Year: Alex Rohder, Dominican University
Coach of the Year: Rich Nassif, Benedictine University